A heartbreaking tale from wartime Italy, based on a true story

Lucia loved her brother Dinu to the depths of her soul, but she also worried about him. He was intelligent yet ambitious, resilient yet hot-headed, and there was a dark side to him that could lead him into terrible trouble one day.

Sicily, 1943: Lucia and her twin brother Dinu have always been inseparable, but their bond is threatened when Gero, the son of close family friends in America, arrives in their village. Although she finds herself developing feelings for him, Lucia worries about Gero’s dangerous connections and their influence on her brother.

As the chaos of World War II closes in, Lucia must navigate love and loyalty to make a difficult choice. Will she risk that the consequences of her decision could bring untold horrors and affect her family for decades to come?

2005: When Jess inherits a baglio, an ancient feudal farmhouse in Sicily, from the grandmother she never knew, she’s determined to uncover the truth about her family’s hidden past. Following the death of her parents and on the brink of divorce, Jess travels to the island alone. There, with the help of a charming Sicilian, she embarks on a quest to unearth a web of long-buried secrets.

But answers come at a price, and Jess must decide if she’s ready to confront a truth that could change everything…

Inspired by true events, this breath-taking novel reveals the hidden secrets of one Sicilian family across generations. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Kristin Hannah, and Kate Quinn, this is an unforgettable tale of love, loyalty, and sacrifice.

Readers love Siobhan Daiko's wartime Italy novels:

'...like meeting an old, dear friend after a long absence. What a poignant, emotional, thoroughly enjoyable read this was! ... such beautiful prose and such a brilliant story that completely transported me.' Renita D'Silva

'an exciting, impeccably-researched wartime adventure with lots of heart ... the perfect mixture of tragedy and happiness' Reader review

'A beautiful story with a compelling historical storyline that you won’t want to put down’ Ann Bennett

’I was completely absorbed by … all the characters and intrigue’ Angela Petch

'A poignant and emotionally charged novel that explores the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity and I was hooked from start to finish' Reader review

'So much heartache but alongside this the love of the people who did so much in WWII' Reader review

'a powerful historical novel that I just could not put down' Reader review